"We're new to town and read the reviews
for Dr Price and decided to Windmill a go. So happy we did! Their
whole office from the front desk to the treatment and meeting Dr Price
was 5 Star all the way! I know our babies will be well taken care
of! I even had a technician help me out to the car which made my day
as I had my hands FULL! Would recommend to anyone! "

"This is the best vet in Abilene! I have tried
countless other veterinary clinics and Windmill out-does them
all. They value my pet and my experience more than my money, and
they are always showing care and compassion to both my dog and me.
They even call after every appointment, just to check-up and make
sure we're doing okay! AMAZING service and incredible people!"

TIME FOR PET'S DENTAL! (STAGE II)

Our records indicate that your pet has Stage 2/4 periodontal disease, and is in need of a dental cleaning. By 3 years of age, 85% of our pets have periodontal disease, so your pet is in good company!

What does "Stage 2/4 periodontal disease" mean? Periodontal disease in dogs and cats is assessed by what level of advancement, or stage, it is in. Stage 2 means your pet has some significant infection, ongoing damage, and pain in his mouth. Stage 2 has gingivitis, or gum infection, involving more than 50% of the teeth, and tartar, or dental calculus, covering more than 50% of the visible tooth surfaces. Fortunately, the damage caused by Stage 2/4 periodontal disease is mostly reversible.

How do you tell if your pet has periodontal disease? It's easy--does your pet have bad breath? If you flip your pet's lip up and look at his teeth, can you see unsightly tartar? inflamed/bleeding gums? Does your pet resist his muzzle being handles, due to pain? Is your pet no longer playing with his toys?

There are a variety of reasons so many of our dogs and cats are affected with periodontal disease.

The primary risk factors for periodontal disease in dogs are Small Mouth/Crowded Mouth/Hairy Mouth. In other words, a small dog (like a Yorkie), a dog with a snub nose (and, therefore, crowded/crooked teeth), or a dog with lots of facial hair (think Schnauzer) have a lot more problems with periodontal disease than, say, a Labrador.

Think of how uncomfortable you are if you eat popcorn and have a popcorn hull lodged in your gums. Now, magnify that oral pain tenfold, and imagine living with it daily--that's what pets endure that have periodontal disease.

Elderly pets whose mouths have been neglected have the additional agony of bone infection (osteomyelitis) to deal with.

To make matters worse, the bacteria that cause gingivitis in pets have a particular affinity for the heart, liver and kidneys; the rich blood supply of the gums means every time a pet with periodontal disease eats, drinks, chews, licks,or grooms, he is causing a cascade of bacteria to enter his bloodstream and target those vital organs.

The only health problems that age a pet as fast as periodontal disease are osteoarthritis and cancer.

Good dental care is one of the most loving and beneficial things we can do for our pets! Proper dental health care can:
· Add 3-5 happy years to a dog or cat's lifespan
· Prevent heart, liver and kidney disease
· Prevent oral pain and BAD BREATH

The good news is that good dental health care doesn't have to be expensive! Windmill Animal Hospital offers complete dental services for your pet, including dental cleaning/polishing, dental xrays, extractions, and restorative procedures. However, if your pet's teeth are cleaned on a regular basis, those other services likely won't be needed!

Call today to get your pet's dental cleaning scheduled, and see how easily we can help your pet be healthier and more comfortable with an organized dental maintenance plan.